Long-Term Quality of Life and Nutritional Status of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Disease and therapy of head and neck cancer impair quality of life (QOL). QOL varies profoundly during therapy and follow-up.

Aim: We sought to monitor QOL and nutritional status of patients before, during and after therapy (AT).

Patients and methods: This study evaluates QOL by using the EORTC-questionnaires QLQ-C30 and H&N35, body weight and plasma albumin up to two years AT.

Results: Chemoradiotherapy is the period of the most profound QOL-impairment. Postoperative QOL almost reaches preoperative levels just before adjuvant therapy and does not differ significantly from pretherapeutic QOL. Long-term QOL is not significantly deteriorated. Patients have an average weight loss of 17%. Nutritional supplements are used continuously. Xerostomia and sticky saliva are chronic symptoms that persist AT.

Conclusions: QOL is an important parameter for the evaluation of therapy success. Head and neck cancer and its therapy cause permanent xerostomia, sticky saliva and need of nutritional supplements. Adequate patient information, psychooncological counseling, analgesia and nutritional support may alleviate QOL impairment.

Acknowledgments

This study was performed as a tri-centric prospective cohort study at the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in Mannheim, Heilbronn and Stade, Germany. The study was not funded or financially supported.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.